Criticizing Irish Blasphemy Laws

irish-blashphemy-lawOn Tuesday, a group of leading secularists from around the globeÔÇöincluding SPI Fellows Richard Dawkins and Steven PinkerÔÇöjoined in criticizing Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny for failing to repeal his countryÔÇÖs six-year-old blasphemy law. Last fall, the Dublin government suggested that the law would be included in a series of national referendums on such topics as gay marriage equality, but at the end of last year, officials seemed to renege on the blasphemy topic. Violations of the law, introduced by a former regime, are still punishable with fines of up to Ôé¼25,000 (┬ú19,000).

At an unprecedented gathering of Irish atheists before their Prime Minister, the group told Kenny that it was his duty to protect those ÔÇ£intimidatedÔÇØ within Ireland and those persecuted elsewhere for their behavior and beliefs. Along with Dawkins and Pinker, many renowned scientists, writers, comedians, politicians, and activists signed a formal letter to the Taoiseach noting that ÔÇ£

[t]he distinction between Ireland and those who carry out executions for blasphemy must consist of more than just the severity of the punishment applied upon conviction.ÔÇØ The authors of the letter also pointed out that Ireland is the only European nation to introduce a blasphemy law in the New Century. This has already had international consequences: At the UN Human Rights Council in 2009, Pakistan proposed adopting the precise wording of the Irish law as part of its own campaign to outlaw the satire or criticism of religions.

False Memories

In Sci-Tech Today, SPI Fellow Elizabeth Loftus had a chance to explain her research on false memories of events, in light of NBC news anchor Brian WilliamsÔÇÖs recent national ÔÇ£misrememberingÔÇØ blunder. People, says Loftus, are often convinced of made-up memories by the sheer power of suggestion.

“Memory is susceptible to contamination and distortion and supplementation,ÔÇØ she commented. ÔÇ£It happens to virtually all of us.ÔÇØ Loftus believes it is “certainly feasible” that Williams could have developed a false memory in which his own helicopter was forced down by gunfire in 2003.